The World Around Us

Long distance relationships are a challenge for even the most solid partnerships. It’s hard enough when a couple of hours driving separate two lovers, but it’s even more difficult when that division is thousands of miles. Rob and Joli Switzer are a couple whose love has gone the distance—both literally and figuratively. Rob, who is from the U.S. and Joli, who is from the Philippines, met in 2010 at a travelers’ meetup in Cebu City, Philippines. They became friends there and stayed in touch via Facebook.

As their relationship evolved from friendship to romance, the two decided to meet again three years later. Afterwards, they started their long-distance relationship. But despite the obvious logistical challenge—they lived 8,000 miles apart—Rob and Joli turned lemons into lemonade. They both loved to travel, so they made a point to “meet halfway” in different places around the world. From St. Petersburg to San Francisco, the two would explore the cities together. Whether it was a metropolis or vast desert, they would commemorate the journey with the same dip-and-kiss pose.

“Everyone was taking jump shots and signature travel poses, so we thought about creating our own cute romantic pose just for kicks,” Rob and Joli explained. “On a whim, we decided that the ‘dipkiss’ should be it.”

Since first becoming a couple in 2013, Rob and Joli have closed the gap in their lives; Rob proposed to Joli in Moscow, and the betrothed said “I do” in June 2017.

They now share these charming travel photos to inspire others who are in long distance relationships. “To all the LDR couples—always follow your heart, no matter the distance,” Joli said. “Have faith, do your part and it’ll all work out in the end!”

For those wondering how to make long distance relationships work, take a cue from Rob and Joli Switzer.

The couple met in 2010 and despite living in two different countries—the United States and the Philippines, respectively—saw each other on a regular basis.

Joshua Tree National Park, California, U.S.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines

Lisbon, Portugal

Barcelona, Spain

Boracay Island, Philippines

New York City, U.S.

Washington, D.C., U.S.

They would “meet halfway” in cities around the world. Each time, they take a photo with the same dip-and-kiss pose.

Monument Valley, Utah, U.S.

San Francisco, California, U.S.

Grandfather Valley, North Carolina, U.S.

Kizhi, Russia

Walt Disney World, Florida, U.S.

Napa Valley, California, U.S.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.

Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia

Eventually, Rob proposed to Joli on one of their adventures in Moscow, Russia…